Lee Zii Jia headlines Malaysia's interest at the Japan Open this week with a big mission to make amends from last week’s early BWF World Championships exit, while newly crowned Malaysian world champions take a break.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who made history by becoming the country’s first world champions on Sunday, withdrew from the Super 750 event due to an injury sustained by Chia.
The country’s top pair are not expected to be out for long, but in their absence Lee commands the interest of fans, with some being critical of him on the back of a third round exit at the world meet.
The world number five said he needed to stabilise his performance after losing out to China's Zhao Jun Peng in a three-game thriller after making numerous unforced errors.
Lee faces a tricky opening round tie against K. Srikanth on Wednesday, but should be optimistic nonetheless of overcoming the Indian.
With reigning world champion Viktor Axelsen pulling out, Lee should fancy his chances of going the distance as he navigates his way from the bottom half of the draw that contains Anders Antonsen, Jonatan Christie and Kento Momota.
Several Malaysian shuttlers, meanwhile, see action on Tuesday.
Taipei Open champions Man Wei Chong-Kai Wun Tee face a daunting opening round task against top seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, who were knocked out early in the world champs last week.
Commonwealth Games champions Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah also have a tough tie against third seeds Lee So-hee-Shin Seung-chan in the women’s doubles.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin vs Shohibul Fikri are the other men’s doubles clash, while there is an all-Malaysian mixed doubles face off between Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei and Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei.
